Bridge has been at N.C. State the past six seasons. He coached tight ends there from 2007-10 and moved to the offensive line in 2011-12 when Tom O’Brien was dismissed. Bridge followed O’Brien from Boston College, where he coached tight ends from 2003-06.

Bridge coached with Illinois head coach Tim Beckman on Urban Meyer’s staff at Bowling Green in 2000, as Bridge coached tight ends and Beckman served as defensive coordinator. He replaces Luke Butkus, who left the Illini for Florida International after just one season. Bridge joins an offensive staff now led by coordinator Bill Cubit, who replaced the ousted Chris Beatty.

“Illinois is a great fit for me, personally, and Coach Beckman has assembled an outstanding staff,” Bridge said in a prepared statement. “As a coach, you always look forward to competing in a premier conference like the Big Ten and at one of the nation’s great academic institutions such as the University Illinois.

“I can’t wait to get started with the members of our team and especially our offensive linemen.”